Conservatives’ welfare reforms drive 3,188 more Barnet and Camden children into poverty

Shocking figures from the End Child Poverty Coalition show that 3,188 extra children in Barnet are living in poverty, taking the figure to 38,737. In Barnet the figure rose by 1,810 to 24,308 and in Camden it rose by 1,378 to 14,429. Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore says this is due to harsh welfare changes that disproportionately affect children.

The Government have frozen child benefits until 2020, despite a spike in inflation and low wage growth due to Brexit.

Mr Dismore said:

‘When I was an MP and a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, the then Labour Government was introducing working families tax credit and taking a million children out of poverty.

‘This is the true face of austerity, and of the Conservatives constantly demonising welfare recipients. But the reality is that 58% of children who live in poverty in London come from working families. The welfare cap and freezing child benefit at a time of inflation, low wages and economic uncertainty leads to real hardship. Working people need a Government that is on their side.’

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